Ronnie McFall’s Portadown roll into Hagan Park today in the highly unlikely position of trailing their hosts in the Championship standings.

The Ports, widely tipped to romp to the title at the start of the season, have hardly had things their own way to date, losing games to Ballinamallard and Loughgall already.

And the Coagh boss is hoping his Championship minnows can spring another surprise to add to the Shamrock Park side's woes.

“I think undoubtedly this would be our biggest league match,” Uprichard said.

“Everybody is expecting a really good crowd and with Portadown being Portadown, one of the biggest clubs in the country and by far the biggest club in our league, everyone is really looking forward to it.

“It was certainly the fixture that everyone at Coagh was looking out for and I just hope the players can go out and enjoy it, perform and do the club justice.

“I still think Portadown will win this league but they have slipped up already a couple of times and I’m hoping they do so again against us.”

Uprichard has never managed to outfox his Portadown counterpart McFall during his career in management but insists there is no time like the present.

“I had a few close games against them during my Armagh days and there were a few tight games.

“When I was at Armagh, we pulled off quite a few good results but we never managed to beat Portadown so I’d like to put that record straight.

“We’re really looking forward to it but again, it’s only three points, it doesn’t matter that it’s Portadown, there are still only three points on offer.”

Meanwhile, Larne manager Graham McConnell will start an eight-game touchline ban when his side travel to Glebe Rangers today for an incident relating to Larne’s league defeat to Lisburn Distillery last season.

Elsewhere, league leaders Ballinamallard travel to Ballyclare Comrades while fourth-placed Loughgall welcome Ballymoney United to Lakeview Park.

Tommy Kincaid’s resurgent Ards make the journey to Killymoon while Armagh welcome Tobermore, Banbridge host Dergview and Limavady travel to Carrick Rangers.